An inland hurricane (or mezzocyclone, or derecho, depending on who you asked) hit southern Illinois on May 8, 2009. [news] [Yahoo Comments]

The entire region (about 7 counties in total) were out of power (and, in my case, hot water also) for 3-10 days. Fortunately, classes have ended for the University (actually it was graduation day, so it gave everyone a reason to get out of town). For over a month, all I could do was clean up and clean up (down trees, broken gutter, debris, etc). Normally I don’t include personal news in this blog, but this is necessary in order to explain the reason for my MIA.

"Hurricane" over Southern Illinois